Split ticketing, have I got this right?

michelefauk

I hope someone can just confirm I am right!
I am looking at travelling from Swindon to London Paddington, passing through Didcot. The normal price for us works out at £90.70 off peak return.
Having looked at the split ticketing article, I have worked out that if I buy a ticket from Swindon to Didcot then Didcot to London, it will work out at £53.70 in total, obviously a big saving.
The question is , do I actually have to get off the train at Didcot? I think not, but my other half is looking for a flaw in the systemI Say for example my ticket was checked between Swindon and Didcot, that is fine as my ticket says Swindon to Didcot. If I am checked between Didcot and London, obviously my other ticket is then valid as I have a ticket from Didcot to London. As I am not buying a ticket for a certain train (ie 10.47 am) my ticket will be an off peak return and will be valid for all off peak journeys within the off peak times.
Have I got something wrong or is it really as simple as I think? I hope so!

Mark_Hewitt

No, you are right! You don't have to get off the train at Didcot at all . The only requirement is that the train stops at Didcot, other than that it's all good. Although in my experience it can cause issues with seat reservations being different for each leg, although for a nearly £40 saving, I'm sure you'll survive!

NB. The train does not have to stop at the particular station if one of the tickets is a season ticket, but this doesn't apply to you.

michelefauk

Thank you so much

dzug1

As long as the train stops at Didcot, fine. Only about half Swindon - London trains do, so take care.

You might want to check out a one day travelcard from Didcot - it will give you freedom to travel in London, usually for an add on less than buying a separate travelcard when you get there.

moonrakerz

Mark_Hewitt wrote: »

Although in my experience it can cause issues with seat reservations being different for each leg

Don't worry about the seat reservation, I have never been asked as to whether I am in the right seat, the guard will sometimes check your reservation ticket, but that is just to check you are the right train for your type of ticket.

In the VERY unlikely event of it being queried, just say you moved for more legroom/fewer kids/or whatever !

Mark_Hewitt

moonrakerz wrote: »

Don't worry about the seat reservation, I have never been asked as to whether I am in the right seat, the guard will sometimes check your reservation ticket, but that is just to check you are the right train for your type of ticket.

In the VERY unlikely event of it being queried, just say you moved for more legroom/fewer kids/or whatever !

Sure, but the more likely outcome is that someone else comes along and gets you to move, as you're in their seat. If the train is full and standing, this can be a problem!

I usually try, if I can, to get into the seat I've reserved for the second half of the journey during the first half.

michelefauk

Thank you for all your help!
Just one more thing, when I ask the person on the desk what I want tomorrow morning when I buy my tickets, are they likely to query it? Would it be better for me to buy one part of the tickets (ie Swindon to Didcot) then get my other half to go back and get the remaining part (Didcot to London) or is there no need to be sneaky?

moonrakerz

Mark_Hewitt wrote: »

Sure, but the more likely outcome is that someone else comes along and gets you to move, as you're in their seat. If the train is full and standing, this can be a problem!

A modicum of common sense is required.
1. Don't sit in someone else's reserved seat.
2. If the train is full to standing, you have a (two) reserved seats - use them.

moonrakerz

michelefauk wrote: »

Thank you for all your help!
Just one more thing, when I ask the person on the desk what I want tomorrow morning when I buy my tickets, are they likely to query it? Would it be better for me to buy one part of the tickets (ie Swindon to Didcot) then get my other half to go back and get the remaining part (Didcot to London) or is there no need to be sneaky?

By Law they have to sell you whatever tickets you ask for !